Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat New Zealand as a Solution Architect for all things Linux, Virtual and of course Cloud. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

We're friendly people who give great support and answer the phones pretty quickly. In the rare event that things break down via the formal channels you have friendly people like me to complain to on Geekzone.

But in all seriousness. I have had rock solid performance and no dropouts / disconnections on Telecom DSL for the last year that I have been with Telecom and on ADSL (also about 300 meters outside VDSL2 coverage dagnabbit Chorus).

Previously was a Telstraclear Cable customer and I do miss the low latency cable speed gave me (which doesn't apply to you since you're in Auckland) but don't miss the times that I had to call TCL support for the 40+ min wait. The few times I have had to call Telecom support the phone has been answered in sub-5 mins and normally resolved on the spot.

But I am biased. But offering you up my opinion as a Telecom Customer (who happens to also be an employee)

we moved to telstra last year after being offered a deal we couldn't refuse ($60/month, no contract, 2 months free, free wireless modem, phone and 20gb)

apart from initiial teething problems, we haven't had any dropouts and have only rung customer service once to get login details for the website which wasn't a long wait. I have added services to our connection by logging in online and requesting it, and its done the next day.

edit: we moved from Snap who were also faultless and had amazing customer service, but couldn't do anything to lower the price